"That has not yet happened very much, where the game's picking up something form the user and adjusting itself, I think that's really cool," he said.

It turns out the research could also have broader implications. The ability to tell how you're feeling based on something you already have in your hands could be useful far beyond the gaming world.

"If you have the same sensors basically built into a steering wheel for example, of a vehicle, and someone's heart rate is declining, their respiration is declining, you might take a guess they're falling asleep," Kovacs said.

On public transit, he says that could protect hundreds of lives. And even on video games, it could protect peace of mind for parents.

"Parents are concerned that their kids are getting too involved in the game, maybe they're getting too hyped up about it," McCall said. "We would also be able to sense that and sort of tell the player you need to take a break."